Reconfigurable tables

Abstract

Reconfigurable tables are disclosed. In some implementations a table includes a generally planar table top having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a plurality of legs, each leg having a vertical leg portion having a proximal end adjacent the lower surface and a distal end configured to contact a floor surface to support the table top at a predetermined distance from the floor surface. At least one of the legs is a pivoting leg, the pivoting leg further including a horizontal elongated support arm that is pivotably mounted to the lower surface at a proximal end and joined to the vertical leg portion at a distal end. In other implementations the orientation of the legs is adjustable by sliding the legs along a channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A table comprising:
 a generally planar table top having an upper surface and a lower surface and a thickness between the upper surface and the lower surface; 
 a plurality of pivoting legs, each pivoting leg having a vertical leg portion having a proximal end adjacent the lower surface and a distal end configured to contact a floor surface to support the table top at a predetermined distance from the floor surface; 
 a plurality of horizontal elongated support arms, each horizontal elongated support arm being associated with one of the pivoting legs, and each horizontal elongated support arm having a first end mounted to the lower surface of the table top, an elongated body disposed in a plane that is generally parallel to a plane defined by the lower surface of the table top, and a second, distal end to which the proximal end of the associated pivoting leg is mounted; and 
 a pivot mechanism associated with the first end of each support arm to allow the support arm to pivot relative to the table top, the pivot mechanism comprising a cylindrical member that is inserted upwardly through a vertically extending countersunk bore in the first end of the horizontal elongated support arm; 
 wherein the first end of the support arm is mounted to the lower surface of the table top by a threaded engagement extending only partially through the thickness of the table top. 
 
     
     
       2. The table of  claim 1  wherein the horizontal elongated support arm includes an upper surface that is configured to contact the lower surface of the table top. 
     
     
       3. The table of  claim 1  wherein the table top is generally square or rectangular and the table comprises at least four corner legs, arranged at corners of the table top. 
     
     
       4. The table of  claim 3 , wherein all four of the corner legs are pivoting legs. 
     
     
       5. The table of  claim 1  wherein the pivoting leg(s) are pivotable between at least two predetermined positions. 
     
     
       6. The table of  claim 5  wherein each pivoting leg further comprises a fastener disposed in the horizontal elongated support arm and configured to secure the pivoting leg in each of the predetermined positions. 
     
     
       7. The table of  claim 1  wherein the lower surface of the table includes an arcuate groove and the pivoting leg further comprises a protrusion disposed in the horizontal elongated support arm and configured to travel within the groove when the leg is pivoted. 
     
     
       8. The table of  claim 1  wherein the horizontal elongated support arm includes a cylindrical portion at the proximal end and the pivoting mechanism is disposed in the cylindrical portion. 
     
     
       9. A method of providing a reconfigurable table, the method comprising:
 providing a table that includes (a) a generally planar table top having an upper surface and a lower surface and a thickness between the upper surface and the lower surface; and (b) a plurality of pivoting legs, each pivoting leg having a vertical leg portion having a proximal end adjacent the lower surface and a distal end configured to contact a floor surface to support the table top at a predetermined distance from the floor surface; (c) a plurality of horizontal elongated support arms, each horizontal elongated support arm being associated with one of the pivoting legs, and each horizontal elongated support arm having a first end mounted to the lower surface of the table top, an elongated body disposed in a plane that is generally parallel to a plane defined by the lower surface of the table top, and a second, distal end to which the proximal end of the associated pivoting leg is mounted; and (d) a pivot mechanism associated with the first end of each support arm to allow the support arm to pivot relative to the table top, the pivot mechanism comprising a cylindrical member that is inserted upwardly through a vertically extending countersunk bore in the first end of the horizontal elongated support arm; wherein the first end of the support arm is mounted to the lower surface of the table top by a threaded engagement extending only partially through the thickness of the table top; and 
 changing the orientation of the vertical leg portion of the pivoting leg, with the vertical leg portion remaining generally perpendicular to the lower surface, by pivoting the horizontal elongated support arm.